Kumar puts SL in control

Chittagong: Kumar Sangakkara made a career-best 319 and joined the 11,000-run club on the way as Sri Lanka took control of the second Test against Bangladesh, here, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, on Wednesday.

The visitors, who won the first Test by an innings and 248 runs in Dhaka last week, hit up 587 in their first innings and Bangladesh replied with 86 for one by stumps on the second day.

Left-handed Sangakkara’s maiden triple century was his ninth 200-plus knock, leaving him in second place behind Australian legend Don Bradman who had 12 scores of 200 or more.

Sangakkara, playing his 122nd Test, also became the ninth Test batsmen to reach the 11,000-run mark. He now has 11,046 runs in the all-time list headed by Sachin Tendulkar (15,921).

Having started the day on 160, Sangakkara hit 32 boundaries and eight sixes before he was last man out before tea attempting to force the pace.

Bangladesh’s reply began on the wrong foot when star opener Tamim Iqbal was bowled by Suranga Lakmal off the fourth ball of their innings.

But Shamsur Rahman (45 batting) and Imrul Kayes (36 batting) repaired the early damage, adding 86 for the unbroken second wicket.

Both batsmen were lucky to survive till close as Shamsur was dropped by Mahela Jayawardene on 36, while Nuwan Pradeep grassed a simple catch offered by Kayes just before stumps.

The day was lit up by glorious stroke-play from Sangakkara, who flayed the hapless bowlers on a slow pitch.